Jawaharlal Nehru (14 November 1889 – 27 May 1964) was India's first Prime Minister and a prominent figure in Indian politics both before and after independence. Under the guidance of Mahatma Gandhi, he emerged as a leading figure in the Indian independence movement and led India from its independence in 1947 until his death in 1964. As a Kashmiri Pandit, he was also known as Pandit Nehru, while Indian children affectionately called him Chacha Nehru (Uncle Nehru).
Nehru was chosen by the Congress Party to be the Prime Minister of independent India, although his leadership was effectively decided in 1941 when Gandhi designated him as his political heir and successor. As Prime Minister, he aimed to realize his vision for India. After the Indian Constitution came into effect in 1950, he launched an ambitious program of economic, social, and political reforms. Above all, by promoting a pluralistic, multi-party democracy, he transformed India from a colony into a republic. In foreign policy, he established India as a regional power in South Asia and played a leading role in the Non-Aligned Movement.
Under Nehru's leadership, the Congress Party emerged as a dominant force, winning elections consecutively in 1951, 1957, and 1962, and maintaining its grip on power at both national and state levels. Even in his later years, amidst political crises and following the 1962 Sino-Indian War, he
remained popular with the Indian public.
Life
Jawaharlal Nehru was born in Allahabad. His father, Motilal Nehru (1861–1931), was a wealthy barrister and a Kashmiri Pandit. Motilal Nehru belonged to the Saraswat Kaul Brahmin community and was elected president of the Indian National Congress twice during the freedom struggle. His mother, Swarup Rani Thussu (1868–1938), came from a prominent Kashmiri Brahmin family in Lahore. She was Motilal's second wife; his first wife had died giving birth to a child. Jawaharlal was the eldest of three children; the other two were daughters. His elder sister, Vijaya Lakshmi, later became the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly. His younger sister, Krishna Hutheesing, became a renowned writer and wrote several books about her family.
Jawaharlal Nehru received his education at some of the finest schools and universities in the world. He attended Harrow School and then Trinity College, Cambridge (London). He later obtained a law degree from Cambridge University. He spent seven years in England, during which time he developed a keen interest in Fabian socialism and Irish nationalism.
Jawaharlal Nehru returned to India in 1912 and began practicing law. In 1916, he married Kamala Nehru. In 1917, Jawaharlal Nehru joined the Home Rule League. His real political awakening came two years later, in 1919, when he came into contact with Mahatma Gandhi. At that time, Gandhi had launched a movement against the Rowlatt Act. Nehru was greatly influenced by Gandhi's active but peaceful non-cooperation movement.
Nehru also adapted his family to Gandhi's teachings. Jawaharlal and Motilal Nehru gave up Western clothes and expensive items. They began wearing khadi kurta and Gandhi caps. Jawaharlal Nehru actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1920–1922 and was arrested for the first time during this period. He was released after a few months. Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as the president of the Allahabad Municipal Corporation in 1924 and served as the city's chief executive for two years. In 1926, he resigned citing a lack of cooperation from the British authorities.
From 1926 to 1928, Jawaharlal Nehru served as the General Secretary of the All India Congress Committee. In 1928-1929, the annual session of the Congress was held under the chairmanship of Motilal Nehru. At this session, Jawaharlal Nehru and Subhas Chandra Bose supported the demand for complete political independence, while Motilal Nehru and other leaders supported the demand for Dominion Status within the British Empire. To resolve this issue, Gandhi proposed a compromise: giving Britain two years to grant Dominion Status to India, and if they failed to do so, the Congress would launch a national movement for complete political independence. Nehru and Bose insisted that this period be reduced to one year. The British government did not respond.
In December 1929, the annual session of the Congress was held in Lahore, where Jawaharlal Nehru was elected as the President of the Congress Party. This session also passed a resolution demanding 'Purna Swaraj' (complete independence). On January 26, 1930, Jawaharlal Nehru hoisted the flag of independent India in Lahore. Gandhi also launched the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930. This movement was quite successful and forced the British government to acknowledge the need for major political reforms.
When the British government implemented the Government of India Act of 1935, the Congress Party decided to contest the elections. Nehru himself did not contest the elections, but he campaigned vigorously for the party throughout the country. The Congress formed governments in almost every province and won a majority of seats in the Central Assembly.
Nehru was elected President of the Congress in 1936 and 1937. He was arrested during the Quit India Movement in 1942 and released in 1945. He played a crucial role in the negotiations with the British government for the independence of India and Pakistan in 1947.
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